The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-10-12
A GREAT RACE.
The Dirigos Beat the CumberIands
in the Double Scull Contest.

The double scull race between the Dirigos
and Cumberlands, which resulted in a foul
Monday, was rowed off yesterday, and was
one OF the greatest races ever r0wed in this
harbor About 4.45 O'clock, the steamer
Fannie G. left the boat house, with the ref
cree, judges and members of the clubs. AT
ter Messrs. Randall and Weber. Judges at
the finish, had been landed at State street
wharf, the men were quickly got into line,
and at the word $50" both crews got away
in good shape, the Cumberlands having the
advantage, rowing "a strokes per minute to
their opponents 3d.
The Dirigos' long, swinging stroke told to
good advantage, and they gradually cut
down the lead until, at Browns wharf, they
had passed their opponents and had clear
water between them. At this point the bow
oar of the Dirigos went fishing" and
caught very large sized crab, which retard-
ed them so much that the Cumberlands drew
up level, and then made great squirt to
reach the turn first.
The Dirigos being inside of their stake-boat
rowed for it on an angle, and making splen-
did turn, started for the finish about length
in advance of their plucky antagonists, who
struggled gamely to cut down their lead.
1t had been grand race to the Point, and
the friends of the Cumberlands still felt
sure that their men would win, saying that
they would row the Dirigos down on the fin
ish. When opposite the Union boat house,
the Cumberlands, in answer to the shouts of
their friends, put on great squirt, and drew
almost level with the Dirigos. who contented
themselves with the long, swinging stroke
they started in with.
The friends of the Cumberlands ON the
steamer felt that they would win, and cries
OF They have them," 'They are rowing
them down." were heard. They were disap
pointed, however, as the effort was too much
for them; they could not keep it up, and the
Dirigos soon regained their lead. "That
was their last effort" said an old oarsman
on the steamer, but he was wrong. With
gameness which is very rarely exhibited, and
which called forth expressions of admira-
ton from every one. they made last great
effort about an eighth of a mile from the fin
iSh. But the lead of three lengths which the
Dirigos had was too much for them. 1t was
impossible for them to gain the lead. and
their friends threw up the sponge. Amid the
yells and cheers of their friends, the Dirigos
crossed the line two lengths of clear water
In advance of their opponents, in II minutes
81 seconds. The Cumberlands crossed five
seconds later.
Inc old oarsmen present were unanimous
In saying it was, without exception, the
very best race ever rowed in the harbor
The Cnmberlands have nothing to be asham-
ed of, as they rowed magnifcsntly. and de
served the praise which they received.
Each club has now won one race, and the
four-oared race, which will be rowed the
10th, will be the rubber, and the Cumber-
lands say if their crew don't win they will
"haye to live on snowballs this winter"
When the crews returned to the boat house
an incident occurred, which illustrates the
saying, 1.-The winner is king, the loser
slave" Wednesday, when Frates won for
the Cumberlands, he was taken from his boat
and carried on the shoulders of his friends.
Yesterday he did not win, and he and his
partner, Cleary, had to carry up their own
boat, while their friends (?) stood and looked
at them.
Betting was quite brisk, and considerable
money changed hands.